The number of visitors from other countries in 2011 was zero!However, more than 500 overseas people came to participate in the Cycling Shimanami 2014. It was the first time for the city to regulate the use of the highway for cycling event in Japan and as a result, people from 31 countries took part in the event.

As you can see, the people who participated in this event are all smiling in the following video!

Lastly, here is a great article about the Shimanami kaido. When I was a child, Fukuyama a big city neighbouring Onomichi developed a great deal and I felt that Onomichi had been left behind. However, Onomichi has not really been affected by development and has retained it's natural beauty.